Reviewer:
Mind Wondrin
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favoritefavoritefavorite -
July 15, 2015 (edited)
Subject:
The scarfire enduro
This show is probably best known for having the longest Scarlet>Fire (33½ mins, when played at the right speed). Some people have concluded that longest version = history = great show, and it shows up on lists for that reason. But others songs here are the highlights. This is a lesser show from what is a remarkable tour. The middle of a run of three, the previous night is the tour's best (followed by 10/25 & 10/28). A typical show from Brent's first year, but once you discover the rest you may know it as the "Playin'" show instead.
1st Set. Jack Straw starts strong (has the "play for Clive") followed by a smokin' They Love Each Other. I love Jer's approach on this during the early-Brent era. The rest of the set is average to below average for '79. There are good fills on Candyman, and Looks Like Rain has some unique drumming at the start. A creaky Easy to Love You is in its early version, before the lyric change (Go to Heaven was being recorded before/after this tour). A typical set for '79/'80, but for the long tunings and chatter.
2nd Set. The long Scarlet>Fire opens the set. It's GOGD, but not best-of-tour [that would be 11/8]. The SBD misses the opening, and is pitched too slow on all sources but this miller_113354, which neatly seams-in the AUD (at the right speed; though the SBD portion is still 1% slow). The ScarFire is a hidden track on Dick's #13 but the pitch error and poor mix, combined, sound freaking awful (like all three discs). It's a languorous version even at the right speed - more of a pepless ticklister (10/14/83 is only seconds shorter and much better). That said, it's the Fire half where things gel (Jer is shaky on Scarlet, "rings on fingers and shoes on her shoes"). Conversely, Samson cooked in this period, going into the second set. The bland Terrapin also starts with an AUD patch. Save it all up for this Playing. It's one of the best of the era: coruscating and perfectly tight. Black Peter goes to AUD in the middle, and is attentively rendered and inspired. Bobby & the Rhythm Devils are more on their game than Jer and Phil, such as on Good Lovin' (which also has a middle AUD patch), but when it works it works well. Which is why this show is better than the one in full on DiP13.
1st Set: C
2nd Set: B-
Overall = 3 stars
Highlights:
They Love Each Other - different than other eras and here nailed
Samson & Delilah - a peak period in general for this
Playin' in the Band - an A+ version with distinct sections
Black Peter - uptempo, era-hot
SOURCES: The Miller_113354 is the best copy of what used to circulate in much lesser quality. It runs slow in places, needing +1% pitch correction for Scar>Fire through Terrapin (excepting AUD patches). Because the SBD is so dry you might try the Hunter-Seamons matrix. The Dick's #13 version of Scarlet>Fire needs +2% pitch correction.
Reviewer:
Burnt Rich
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November 2, 2012 (edited)
Subject:
Hide and seek....
I listened to Dick's Picks 13 for years before I realized this Scarlet>Fire was included as filler on disc 2! It is not listed in the tracks on DP 13. It is one of the longest versions ever played and they are absolutely on....